Feb
16
2011
i absolutely love it when other fellow photographers write me asking questions about photography…i had so many photographers share their time and work with me when i was just starting out that it’s only natural for me to want to share my experiences!
i’ve spent a total of 7 years out of my 10 years of shooting, photographing weddings. i spent much of that time in the early years either shooting for other photographers or dragging their bags, and I learned so much during that time. i’m now in my 5th year of being a full-time photography business owner. one question i was recently asked from a photographer was: “is there anything you know now, that you wish you would have known then?” (in regards to wedding photography.)
i’m sure there is a lot! but one of the first things that comes to mind is how different the business of wedding photography is from that of portrait photography. weddings are a big deal! a big deal to all that are involved. the business of wedding photography requires immense attention to each bride. to show them that they are special and to make them feel that they are the only bride you are serving. this is expected in the wedding industry. because most brides plan their weddings a year in advance you’re planning your business a year in advance. if you’re new it can be tempting to overbook yourself because you’re excited about the work. that’s what i did anyways. i think my first year in “for real” business i traveled out of the country for destination weddings 3 times in 3 months while shooting many weddings and portrait sessions before, between, and after. needless to say it got tough for me to make each bride feel like my only bride. my new business certainly suffered because i was overbooked, not to mention i was new to running a full time business. my first two years was a crash-course in running a business!
My advice to all photographers who own their own business is, DO NOT OVERBOOK YOURSELF. every one of us functions at a different level. some can handle more work then others and do well at it, if you’re like me less is more. take the time to learn your comfort level of business. if you have more clients or work then you can handle, it doesn’t mean you’re successful. it means you’re too busy to run a successful business. don’t worry about your other photographer friends and how many weddings they’re shooting. you do what works for you. consider raising your prices and take less work so that you can keep your clients believing in your art-work and in your business. 
i’ve always said that just because you’re an amazing artist, doesn’t mean you should run a business. it’s important that we work just as hard on our business skills, as we do on our artistry.
with weddings, we have the pleasure of working with the brides for up to 2 years, or even more sometimes. i’m still fulfilling album orders from previous year brides. so remember that last years clients are often still this years clients, which means each year you have more and more clients to tend to. this is a great thing if you are well structured and know your limits. it definitely takes time to learn how much work you can handle so don’t be too hard on yourself and take responsibility where need be. be open with your clients and be sure you keep them in the loop on the work you’re doing for them. i’ve been so blessed to have such gracious brides that allowed me to take the time necessary to make their wedding photos even more beautiful in the editing process. i found that they were very supportive of me when i explained the lengthy editing process to them and gave them a reasonable (for me) time-line of expectancy. communication is key. you don’t want to get into the habit of setting time-lines that you know you can’t feasibly meet. you will then find yourself either A. staying up all hours of the night possibly neglecting yourself, and perhaps your family, or B. not keeping your word and not fulfilling the work when you had promised. of course at times we all have to learn the hard way. i’m not saying these things are bad, i’m just saying that once it becomes a habit, no one is happy . and believe me, your brides will talk. because the average person has no idea how long it takes to edit a wedding, and because every photographer takes a different amount of time, your brides just might get into a discussion with their other bride friends, and begin comparing their photographers work ethics. yikes! so be sure you communicate to them the way you work best.
just to recap: “is there anything you know now, that you wish you would have known then?” i wish i had pursued just as much knowledge in running a business as i did in learning my craft. i also wish i had taken advice from other professional photographers who had been in business longer. for example: my pricing.
cheers to you and your adventure as a photographer/business owner! it’s okay to mess up, and it’s okay to feel like a failure at times. those moments press us on to becoming even better, and remind us of why we do what we do. keep the questions coming, i hope i can help!
stay tuned for a post about “day of wedding tips”
a few of my favorite images from a barcelona, spain wedding
. below are a few of my favorite images from the year. i’m so thankful to my sweet clients who allowed me to share in their life and love.
POETRY, darling!!!!! Let’s see more!!!!